Paul Collins

I was born in Melbourne in 1940. As a child I really wanted to be an actor or an orchestral conductor, but chose the Catholic priesthood instead. Some have argued that in my case there is not much difference! I was ordained in 1967 and then worked as a priest and secondary school teacher in Toowoomba. From there I went to Hobart, where I worked in a parish; Sydney, where I taught students for the priesthood; Papua New Guinea where I taught in a university teaching; and Michigan, USA where I taught theology.

My first book, Mixed Blessings – which looks at what had happened in the Catholic church since the end of the Second Vatican Council in 1965 – was published in 1986. I then went on to join the ABC as a broadcaster and commentator on religious affairs. I worked in radio and TV, eventually ending up as Specialist Editor – Religion. I left the ABC in 1996, but still appear on the national broadcast as a commentator on religious affairs – and a sometime protagonist on Catholic affairs! (read more)